Under 30's urged to register for updates on covid jab appointments

Scots aged 18 to 29 can now register to receive details of their coronavirus vaccination dates by text or email, rather than by letter.

Vaccinations for the final adult age group are expected to begin in mid-June, but a two-week registration period is now open to receive digital alerts so 18 to 29-years olds do not miss an invitation for a vaccine appointment.

Registration is not compulsory and those who do not register will still receive an offer of a vaccine appointment through the post - as long as their GP's details are up to date.

To register for alerts about appointments, those who are eligible should visit https://register.vacs.nhs.scot before Friday June 4.

Once completed, the NHS Scotland registration form says applicants will be located in the "population register'' and they will receive a text message, email or both with the result and next steps, or will be contacted if there are any problems with identification.

Anyone not currently registered with a GP can call the national Covid-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to organise an appointment.

Those living in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles will be contacted by their health board directly about appointments.

Anyone 30 or over should not register, and are being asked to instead wait to receive a blue-enveloped vaccine appointment letter, or call the vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, posted the link to register on Twitter and wrote: "If you are aged between 18 and 29, you can now register for your Covid vaccination here.

"Please do - it is the best way to protect yourself and others, and get us all back on the path to normality.''

Sophie Thirkell, from Elgin, recently had her first COVID-19 vaccine.

The 25-year-old says she felt a sense of "relief" after getting the jab and encourages other people to get vaccinated.

She said: "It went really well, a lot better than I thought because I’m not really the best with needles, but the staff were just so friendly and professional, it was really quick and they really do look after you.

“It felt really special afterwards, a day I’ll always remember getting my first vaccine dose, a step back towards normality

“I didn’t have many side effects either, just a sore arm for a couple of days.

“I would encourage other people to get vaccinated as well, because for me I just felt an instant sense of relief.

“Especially with the recent news the vaccines seem to be effective against the recent variants.

“I’d like to travel again, I can’t wait to go to festivals, I’m sure other young people feel the same way.

“It just gives you a bit more piece of mind.

“I think a lot of young people are really looking forward to getting their vaccine appointment.

"For the past year or so, things like going to gigs, festivals or just hanging out with friends has been difficult or pretty much non-existent.

“You don’t realise how much of a positive impact that had on your mental health until it’s taken away.

“Certainly from my perspective, I just can’t wait until I can properly socialise with people and not have to worry about the potential impact on covid cases.”